Chapter 4

Ethan didn't come home all night.

At one in the morning, he sent me a message saying that Sophie's condition had stabilized, but the doctor wanted to keep her at the hospital for observation.

He didn't ask how I had spent our anniversary alone. He only updated me on the condition of the woman who was tearing our marriage apart.

When he came home to change the next morning, I was in the kitchen drinking warm water.

"Yesterday was a false alarm," he said. "The baby is fine."

The relief in his voice was unmistakable, as if that child being safe was the best news in the world to him.

I tightened my grip on the glass and said nothing.

My first official prenatal appointment was the next morning.

I should have told him about it the night before and asked him to come with me.

As I watched him adjust his tie, I decided to give him one more chance.

"Can you spare two hours tomorrow morning?"

Ethan didn't pause. "What for?"

"There's something very important I need you there for."

"I have a board meeting tomorrow. It can't be rescheduled," he answered without hesitation. "If it isn't urgent, it can wait until the weekend."

"What if it can't wait until the weekend?"

He finally looked up at me, impatience settling between his brows. "Claire, I already have enough on my plate. Not everything has to happen according to your schedule."

I nodded.

"Understood."

The next day, I went to the hospital alone.

The waiting area was filled with couples.

Some husbands held cups of water for their wives, while others crouched on the floor to tie their wives' shoelaces.

I rested a hand over my belly and told myself I would be fine on my own.

Just as the nurse called my name, a familiar voice came from the other end of the corridor.

"Slow down. The doctor said you shouldn't walk too fast."

I turned around.

Ethan was helping Sophie out of the elevator.

He was supposed to be attending his so-called important meeting, yet there he was, carrying her coat and medical bag.

Sophie saw me too.

"Claire? What are you doing here?"

Ethan's expression immediately became awkward. "The meeting was canceled at the last minute. Sophie has a follow-up appointment today, so I came with her since it was on my way."

"How convenient." I looked at him. "Your meeting can be canceled at the last minute for her."

Before he could answer, the nurse called Sophie in for her examination.

She immediately grabbed Ethan's arm. "You promised you'd stay with me."

Ethan glanced at me but followed her into the examination room anyway.

The door didn't close completely.

A moment later, the rapid, powerful rhythm of a heartbeat sounded from the fetal monitor.

Sophie smiled. Ethan stood beside her, his face lighting up with a kind of wonder I had never seen before.

"Is that the baby's heartbeat?" he asked.

The doctor smiled and nodded.

Ethan lowered his head, his gaze lingering on the screen for a long time.

When it was my turn to be examined, I didn't look toward that door again.

Half an hour later, the doctor handed me my report and told me the baby was developing well.

As I left the examination room, I ran straight into Ethan.

He noticed the documents in my hand and instinctively reached for them.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

I folded the report, slipped it back into my bag, and moved away from his hand.

"It's none of your business."

"Claire, don't act out just because of what happened yesterday."

"I'm not acting out." I looked at Sophie, who was nestled against his side. "Go on. Stay with her. After all, your most important meeting today is right here."

I turned and walked away without telling him there was an ultrasound image inside my bag too.

The baby in that image was his.